Decibel Geek Podcast

We teased last week that we'd be doing a year in review this week. Unfortunately, time and sickness played factors in us getting our research finished in time. The year in review shows take a lot of preparation.

This week, Aaron and Chris bring you volume 16 of the Raido Sucks Radio Show as they spin new tracks by Winger, Heavy Tiger, and The East Side Gamblers alongside rocking tracks from KISS, Betty Blowtorch, Union, Hair of the Dog and much more.

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East Side Gamblers

Union

Winger

Hair of the Dog

Santa Cruz

Betty Blowtorch

Heavy Tiger

Sugar Ray

KISS

Skid Row

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The winter of 2013-2014 has been absolutely brutal in the United States and outlying territories. Worse than that, if feels like it's never going to end! March is here and there are still places that have plenty of snow on the ground. It's enough to make even the most cheerful of Decibel Geeks feel depressed and cry out "Winter Sucks!"

This week we're joined by guest host Mitch Lafon for a discussion of some of our favorite Winter-themed songs (ie. songs with words like "cold", "ice", "frozen" in the title). In this hour-long discussion, Aaron, Chris and Mitch discuss and spin tracks by Cinderella, Aerosmith, Rainbow, London, LA Guns, Metallica and much more to help remedy your cold weather blues. Mitch also shares his reasoning for recently leaving the popular Three Sides of the Coin podcast and lets us in on his plans for the future.

Mitch Lafon on Facebook

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Tora Tora

Rainbow

Cinderella

David Lee Roth

Aerosmith

Van Halen

Bodyjar

London

Metallica

Badlands

Skid Row

Cry of Love

L.A. Guns

Billy Idol

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After two weeks of discussing a British Invasion, we decided this week to discuss another kind of British Invasion and Chris and Aaron are joined by Tim Henderson from Bravewords.com for an in-depth discussion of the entire catalog of heavy metal legends Judas Priest.

In this long-form discussion, Aaron, Chris and Tim discuss the recorded output of the iconic Judas Priest catalog; starting with 1974's Rocka Rolla and chronicling each album through 2008's Nostradamus and their hopes for the upcoming album currently being created.

There's a lot of twists and turns in this conversation with each host bringing a different perspective due to differing levels of Priest fandom. We hope die-hard Priest fans enjoy this trip down memory land and we also hope this coversation helps turn on listeners not as familiar with Judas Priest's catalog and hisotry to pick up and discover one of metal's most iconic bands. Enjoy!

Visit Bravewords.com for the best in rock and metal news!

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Rocka Rolla

Sad Wings of Destiny

Sin After Sin

Stained Class

Killing Machine

British Steel

Point of Entry

Screaming For Vengeance 

Defenders of the Faith

Turbo

Ram It Down

Priest Live

Painkiller

Jugulator

Demolition

Angel of Retribution

Nostradamus

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This week the Decibel Geek podcast stays Fab as Aaron and Chris spin some of their favorite Beatles songs covered by some of the favorite rock & metal artists.

The Beatles - Covered in Metal is an hour plus of  rock and metal artists putting their own spin on some Fab 4 classics. Tracks from Kip Winger, Type O Negative, Me First & the Gimme Gimme's, Tesla and more!

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Whitesnake - Trouble  

Tesla - Real to Reel  

Jeff Healey - Cover To Cover  

Butchering the Beatles: A Headbashing Tribute

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Ruin Jonny's Bar Mitzvah

Gilby Clarke - Hangover  

Running Wild - Victory  

Type O Negative - World Coming Down

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With the majority of the world celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Beatles landmark first performance on the Ed Sullivan show, Aaron and Chris decided to dip their toe(s) into this renewed Beatlemania.

The guys discuss and spin some of their favorite 'heavy' Beatles tracks from albums such as The White Album, Yellow Submarine, Sergent Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Abbey Road and more.

We also hear from Podkisst host Ken Mills with his picks for favorite heavy Beatles tunes. If you didn't already know, Ken hosted a fantastic look back at the Sullivan show appearance in a special entitled Beatles Invade America. We highly recommend it!

We hope you enjoy this look/listen to The Heavier Side of the Beatles.

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The Beatles

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As we proved in our Best of 2013 episode, last year was a pretty cool year for hard rock and metal. That kind of standard has Aaron and Chris thinking this week of how 2014 will shape up.

This week the guys play some tracks from bands/artists that are possibly releasing music this year. Tracks by Sebastian Bach, Overkill, Helix, Ted Nugent, Sixx A.M. and many more highlight this week's episode entitled Album Anticipation.

Sixx A.M. continued on the tradition of creating catchy-yet-heavy rock music in 2011 with the release of 'This is Gonna Hurt.' A companion piece to the book of the same name penned by Nikki Sixx, the album combines elements of new and old. Sixx confirmed in a late-2013 interview that the band was putting the finishing touches on their new album.

The Cult are on schedule to release new music in 2014. They had a very busy 2013 as they crossed the U.S. performing the classic 1987 album 'Electric' in full. We prepare for this year's new material with a track from the aforementioned 'Electric.'

Ted Nugent seems to be a real lightning rod these days due to his very divisive comments that he always seems to be making in the press in regards to politics and gun laws. What do we think? Who cares? We hope for new music from Uncle Ted this year and, while we wait, blast out a track from the epic 1978 'Weekend Warriors' album.

Black Label Society are slated to release 'Catacombs of the Black Vatican' this April. Zakk Wylde and company will surely continue their tradition of brutal riffs that also contain a hint of melodic sensibility. While we wait for April, Aaron spins a track from the equally heavy 2006 release 'Shot to Hell'.

Formed in 1974 in Canada, Helix have been in the music industry for 40 years. While new music is scheduled for release this year, Chris plays a track from their commercial peak and the 1983 album 'No Rest for the Wicked.'

One band that's definitely no stranger to the Decibel Geek podcast is Overkill. After 2012's awesome 'The Electric Age' expectations are high now that's known that Bobby Blitz and the boys will be putting out new material this year. We take a listen to a left-field track from 1997's 'From the Underground and Below.'

The Darkness is a band that's been through just about every rock music cliche imaginable. The fact that they are still producing great old-school-inspired hard rock is a testament to their work ethic. The band has stated that they are working on a 2014 follow-up to their 2012 'Hot Cakes' release. Chris takes things all the way back to the 2003 debut album with a track from 'Permission to Land.'

Ace Frehley finally gave KISS and guitar fans new product back in 2009 after a 20 year wait with the release of 'Anomaly.' While many remain skeptical about new music from the original Spaceman, there has been reported activity of Frehley doing some recording over the past year with some well-known musicians. The hope of new music from Ace inspired Aaron to pick a smoking track from 1989's 'Trouble Walkin.'

Scheduled to release a new album entitled 'Give 'em Hell' in 2014, Sebastian Bach is expected to continue releasing solid music as his past few solo albums have proven. Closing out his picks is Chris' choice of a rocker from 2007's 'Angel Down' album.

Hell seemed to freeze over in 2008 with the long awaited release of Guns N' Roses' 'Chinese Democracy.' After a ridiculous amount of lineup changes and delays, the album didn't exactly set the world on fire but did contain some notably great songs. As impossible as it seems, rumors have swirled recently from reliable sources that Axl and the gang might actually put out new material this year. Aaron closes out this week's show with the ultimate in anticipation as he spins one of the 'better' tracks from GNR's previous release.

This week's show sponsor was JTB's Groovy Record Room in Cottontown, TN. If you're in the area, it is HIGHLY recommended that you check it out!

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Sebastian Bach

The Darkness

Helix

Ted Nugent

Ace Frehley

Guns N Roses

Overkill

Sixx A.M.

Black Label Society

The Cult

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Rock and Metal music is widely stereotyped as a man's world. This couldn't be further from the truth and Aaron and Chris are out to prove it today as they discuss and spin some of their favorite female rockers. Tracks from The Runaways, Vixen, Doro Pesch, L7, Halestorm, and Betty Blowtorch among many, many more show that girls can rock every bit as much as the boys in this hour-plus episode that highlights the Queens of Noize.

Starting things off, is a double dose of Swedish female power as Sister Sin teams up with Doro Pesch for their take on a Motorhead classic.

A few weeks ago, Aaron spun a great Billy Squier cover performed by Damone. Up from the ashes of that great band is singer Noelle LeBlanc's current project known as The Organ Beats. Featuring a catchy pop/rock sound, Chris spins a track from their 2012 'Goldenheart' release.

An all-female metal band that cropped up in the 1990's was Drain STH. Also from Sweden, this group toured heavily, opening for many legendary hard rock and metal acts before calling it a day. Aaron spins a great track from this powerful but short-lived band.

Chris' next pick hits close to home as he spins a selection from Vixen's self-titled 1988 debut. Late guitarist Jan Keuhnemund is no stranger to the Decibel Geek podcast as she was interviewed on the show back in 2012.

We come back from the break with Aaron's choice of a controversial band from the 1990's. L7 were not your stereotypical all-girl group. In fact, they were as tough (if not tougher) than many of the male-dominated bands that they toured with. Fronted by Donita Sparks, we take a listen to an attitude-filled track from 1992's 'Bricks are Heavy' album.

No list of top female rockers would be complete without a mention of Heart. Formed in Seattle in the 1970's and fronted by the sisters Wilson (Anne and Nancy), Heart have strung together a legendary career that has withstood numerous changes in trends. Chris spins one of their heavier tracks with a selection from 1980's 'Bebe Le Strange' album.

What if there were an all-girl version of AC/DC? The closest thing you'll find to that are The Donnas. Known for a simple and catchy hard rock sound, this all-girl group has released a number of great tracks over the years. Aaron spins a festive number from their 'Bitchin' album.

There's a female-fronted band that is getting lots of mainstream attention while continuing to fly the flag for classic hard rock and metal. Halestorm have been racking up hits and awards while saluting their heroes in the form of cover songs and guest appearances onstage. Led by singer/guitarist Lzzy Hale, this band continues to give us hope that good rock music is not going away anytime soon as we listen to a track from their 2012 'The Strange Case Of....' release.

Rounding out Aaron's choices of top female rockers is another band that left us too soon; this time due to tragic circumstances. Betty Blowtorch was gaining real momentum with their debut album in the early 2000's and seemed destined to become pretty big stars. 

That all ended much too early as lead singer Bianca Halstead was tragically killed in a car crash during their tour stop in New Orleans. We take a listen to a track that sums up the talent and humor that the band had going for it.

As with Heart, we couldn't do this episode without putting the honor forward to another forerunner of powerful rock women. Chris picks his favorite song by The Runaways. 

This band launched a number of great careers including Joan Jett, Cherie Curry, and Lita Ford. We finish our tribute to women in rock this week with a Joan Jett-fronted track from 1977's 'Waitin' for the Night.'

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Sister Sin

Doro Pesch

The Organ Beats

Drain STH

Vixen

L7

Heart

The Donnas

Halestorm

Betty Blowtorch

The Runaways

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After a wild couple of weeks of going behind the KISS curtain, we're back this week to kick back, have some laughs, and spin some awesome cover songs.

This week we bring you Under Covers 2, a collection of kick-ass hard rock and metal cover songs. Some of these are just great takes on the original and others are more rocked-up versions of less rocking songs. Covers by bands such as Bobaflex, Me First & the Gimme Gimmes, Ronnie James Dio, Halestorm and Nantucket covering songs by great acts like AC/DC, Styx, Alice Cooper, Simon & Garfunkle, and Hall & Oates (weird, I know). Hope you enjoy!

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Bobaflex

Jizzy Pearl

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes

John Corabi

Nantucket

Ronnie James Dio

Stevie Rachelle

Halestorm

Skid Row

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To say that last week's ⁠part 1⁠ of our conversation with keyboardist Gary Corbett was popular would be an understatement. In just 7 days, part 1 exceeded download totals for any episode in show history. The audience feedback was overwhelming with many, especially KISS fans, expressing gratitude for a peak behind the curtain of a working band that has had its share of controversy. This week's second half is no exception.

We then segue into discussion of Eric Carr's decline in health. Gary describes the physical symptoms that cropped up during the end of the ⁠Hot in the Shade tour⁠ and the subsequent surgeries and chemotherapy.

Many rumors have swirled around for years about Eric Carr's status in the band after his cancer diagnosis. Gary shares his memories of what took place between Carr and his KISS bandmates and what led to Carr's family cutting off all contact to Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley during the end of Eric's life.

Gary also shares his objections to certain things portrayed in ⁠The Eric Carr Story by Greg Prato⁠; a book in which Corbett is quoted alongside Bruce Kulick, Carrie Stevens, and others that were close to the late drummer. He also states how his side of things are backed up by, what many would consider, a surprising source.

Hot in the Shade was released as, basically, a collection of demos that were polished up for cost-cutting measures. Gary explains how one of the biggest tracks on ⁠Hot in the Shade⁠ featured a future lineup of KISS.

Gary then takes us a bit by surprise by stating that Eric Carr was, indeed, fired by KISS and explains the different ways in which they were pushing to attain his exit from the band during a very difficult time as well as their motivation.

Gary then shares details of the funeral and the tension that hung in the air as Eric's KISS bandmates showed up for the services. He also talks about the infamous feud between Gene Simmons and ⁠Howard Stern⁠ due to Stern's comments on the air about Eric's death. Gary reveals his role in this drama that wound up being played out on Stern's television show later. He also shares details of the icy reception for Simmons and Stanley at the post-funeral dinner.

One positive note from the funeral is shared by Gary as he describes the miles-long turnout of thousands of fans along the road for the procession. Despite the fan support though, Carr's parents were uncomfortable with the attention.

Chris tells Gary about seeing footage of he and Carr goofing off on camera during the Hot in the Shade rehearsals in bootleg footage that circulates among fans as Exposed II. Gary goes on to discuss some footage that he took himself of the band during the band's ⁠Smashes Thrashes and Hits ⁠tour and, in particular, a certain story of Carr experiencing hash in Amsterdam for the first time.

Gary describes some of the conversations that took place among the band during the Hot in the Shade era including the Paul and Gene's stories of Ace and Peter, talks of a possible reunion, and the tension that resulted from a makeup-era flashback scene that was filmed for the ⁠'Rise to It'⁠ video.

The Decibel Geek podcast would like to thank Gary Corbett for a such an open, frank conversation.

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At the end of 2013, Aaron and Chris got to sit down in-person with a guest that had been on their wish-list since, basically, the inception of the podcast. Today, we're happy to share the first half of the conversation.

Gary Corbett may not be a household name along the lines of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tom Keifer of Cinderella, or Cyndi Lauper but he's worked closely with all of them. In part 1 of this long-form discussion, Gary shares his experiences in the music business working with Cinderella and KISS.

The discussion opens with Chris telling Gary about seeing, or more appropriately hearing, him perform with KISS in Nashville on the Hot in the Shade tour. Gary goes on to share how he wound up relocating to Nashville from New York years ago and also talks about the Scrap Metal project that he's been part of with also-Nashville-resident Mark Slaughter, Scrap Metal.

We then discuss the announcement of KISS' upcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Gary's thoughts on who still deserves to be in the museum.

Gary shares the story of how he was brought into the KISS fold during pre-production for the 'Crazy Nights' album. He was then brought in to tour for the 'Crazy Nights' tour and he recounts the struggles the band went through on the road due to low ticket sales in the face of dismal returns on the album.

Soundcheck for KISS is a time when the band members can cut loose away from the audience while still being on stage. Unfortunately for Gary, his first tour with the band didn't provide a fun atmosphere in which to soundcheck due to Gene Simmons razzing the keyboard player in a particular way.

We go into a brief discussion of KISS' appearance at the Monsters of Rock festival in Germany in 1988 and how Gary being shown on camera during the performance led to some unpleasant vibes from Gene and Paul.

Chris, then, approaches Gary about the presence during those years of Jess Hilsen, who was Paul Stanley's therapist who wound up handling KISS' financial affairs before leaving the country amid a haze of lawsuits and bad business deals. And speaking of managers, Gary then shares how another KISS manager Larry Mazer was responsible for bringing him into the fold playing for Cinderella beginning with the Heartbreak Station tour.

We come back from the first break with some Vinnie Vincent discussion and Gary shares how he was actually at Mark Slaughter's house when news broke of Vinnie's arrest.

Another KISS connection for Gary goes back all the way to the 1970's as he crossed paths with the Kulick brothers early on. He was also a part of the mid-late 70's New York scene and was a part of the Max's Kansas City crowd.

During his time working with KISS, Gary become very close friends with Eric Carr. In this discussion, we get Gary's take on Eric's personality and some of the struggles he had with dealing with Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons' control. He would typically hang out with Gary after the shows and in this discussion he shares what Eric was like socially with fans and friends.

Eric Car went through a difficult circumstance when KISS toured Europe in 1988 as his drum solo was vetoed. This decision hit Eric very hard and Gary shares his take on who was responsible and why.

In this discussion, Gary has some very pointed things to say in regards to Paul Stanley. He also shares his thoughts on Bruce Kulick's long tenure in the band and how that took place under the control of Simmons and Stanley.

We come back from the second break with discussion of Gary's memories of his tenure with KISS and how, during the 'Crazy Nights' tour, the employment arrangements with the band were becoming troublesome due to the on-again/off-again nature. This situation came to a head and led to a standoff of sorts between Gary and the band at Nassau Coliseum.

We finish off Part 1 with a quick discussion of what it must have been like to be a roadie for KISS during the 'Crazy Nights' era. Who could forget that logo?

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